Enjoy The Simple Life When You Visit This Tiny Rural Community In Minnesota
By Trent Jonas|Published August 31, 2023
×
Trent Jonas
Author
Trent Jonas came to Minnesota to attend college - and never left. He's a Twin Cities-based writer with a BA in English and a MFA in creative writing, a Minnesota Master Naturalist, and the proud father of two adult children. With more than a decade of freelance writing experience under his belt, Trent is often out exploring his favorite topics: Minnesota's woods, lakes, and trails. Rhubarb pie is his weakness, so discovering new diners is also a passion.
Mountain Lake is a rural Minnesota town in the southwestern part of the state. Although conspicuously distant from any region that might be considered mountainous, Mountain Lake is a charming community with much to offer the traveler who stops to explore. So, what do you say – Mountain Lake road trip?
Mountain Lake is a community of 2,000 in Cottonwood County.
On some days, it closes in the afternoon, but it’s open again for happy hour and dinner.
What sets Mountain Lake apart from other southwestern Minnesota cities, though, is its fascinating history - and how well preserved its historic sites are.
Low German-speaking Mennonites from Russia settled in the area starting in 1873, when the railroad came to Mountain Lake. Soon, these settlers comprised the vast majority of the area’s population.
The town has preserved its history with the Mountain Lake Heritage Village.
Heritage Village, Mountain Lake Road, Mountain Lake, MN, USA
This collection of historic buildings is open daily during the summer, and interpreters are often on hand to talk about the town’s history. The Heritage Village also hosts a fair over the second weekend in September and a lights display that’s a popular regional destination during the holiday season.
Long before the Russian Mennonites or their colonial predecessors settled Mountain Lake, however, native peoples had used the area.
Archaeological evidence points toward near-continuous use of a former island (the original lake was drained for farming) site for nearly 3,000 years. In fact, the remains of the oldest dwelling ever found in Minnesota - 2,100 years old - were discovered at the site, which is now located within Mountain County Park. The site was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.
Interestingly, I have driven past Mountain Lake several times and stopped once or twice. But I haven’t visited Heritage Village or Mountain County Park, yet. But you’d better believe they’re on my Minnesota bucket list now!
How about you? Have you spent any time in Mountain Lake, and did you know about the historic sites in this rural Minnesota town?
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
